QUALIFICATIONS FOR OVERSEERS AND DEACONS

3 This saying is trustworthy:h “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,A,i he desires a noble work.” 2 An overseer,j therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,k respectable, hospitable,l able to teach, 3 not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.m 4 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil.n 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’so trap.

8 Deacons,p likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faithq with a clear conscience.r 10 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives,B,s likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,t faithful in everything. 12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS

14 I write these things to you, hoping to comeu to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household,v which is the church of the living God,w the pillar and foundation of the truth.x 16 And most certainly, the mystery of godlinessy is great:

HeC was manifested in the flesh,z

vindicated in the Spirit,aa

seen by angels,

preached among the nations,

believedab on in the world,

taken up in glory.ac

DEMONIC INFLUENCE

4 Now the Spiritad explicitly says that in later timesae some will depart from the faith,af paying attention to deceitful spiritsag and the teachings of demons,ah 2 through the hypocrisyai of liars whose consciencesaj are seared. 3 They forbid marriageak and demand abstinenceal from foods that God createdam to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good,an and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,ao 5 since it is sanctified by the word of Godap and by prayer.

A GOOD SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST

6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faithaq and the good teaching that you have followed.ar 7 But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths.as Rather, train yourself in godliness.at 8 For the training of the body has limited benefit,au but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.av 9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.aw 10 For this reason we labor and strive,D because we have put our hope in the living God,ax who is the Savioray of all people,az especially of those who believe.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINISTRY

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech,ba in conduct,bb in love,E,bc in faith, and in purity.bd 13 Until I come,be give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. 14 Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy,a with the laying on of handsb by the council of elders. 15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will savec both yourself and your hearers.d

5 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.

THE SUPPORT OF WIDOWS

3 SupportA widowse who are genuinely in need. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. 5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in Godf and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; 6 however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.g 7 Command this also, so that they will be above reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provideh for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faithi and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support unless she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband, 10 and is well known for good worksj—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality,k washed the saints’ feet,l helped the afflicted,m and devoted herself to every good work.n 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marryo 12 and will therefore receive condemnationp because they have renounced their original pledge. 13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossipsq and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say. 14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry,r have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.s 15 For some have already turned awayt to follow Satan. 16 If anyB believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows in genuine need.

HONORING THE ELDERS

17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor,C especially those who work hardu at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,D,v and, The worker is worthy of his wages.w

19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.x 20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid. 21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observey these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. 22 Don’t be too quick to appointE,z anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.aa 23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. 24 Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment,ab but the sins of others surfaceF later. 25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.